SCI Formulation Forum (24-25 Jan, London) 

Intellegens will join the SCI Formulation Forum to discuss how machine learning can be applied to formulations development in the context of challenging sustainability goals. Dr Tom Whitehead will present practical examples of machine learning technology accelerating projects to fine-tune formulations, improving environmental properties while also optimising cost and performance.

Title: Sustainable formulation development using machine learning

Speaker: Dr Tom Whitehead, Head of Machine Learning, Intellegens

The chemicals industry is the third largest industrial emitter of CO2 according to the IEA, and so moving chemical formulation onto a more sustainable footing is an ever more pressing issue. However, the route to a more sustainable formulation industry using current approaches looks long and winding – researching substitute materials or feedstock, or modifying processes, is often an exhaustive process of trial and improvement. The complexity of modern chemical formulations, typically involving multiple interacting ingredients, means that researchers need to understand and exploit often subtle, hidden relationships between these ingredients, formulation processing steps, and the resulting properties of the formulation.

Machine learning is an artificial intelligence approach that helps by analysing experimental and process data to build models that can capture these relationships and use them to fine-tune product performance. Machine learning is already delivering the next generation of sustainable formulation solutions, by enabling rapid screening of potential substitute materials and design of new formulations that are less energy-intensive to process. We will discuss some real-world examples of machine learning’s use in sustainable formulation design, and how leading chemicals companies use machine learning to support their net zero goals.